BEN&BEN, CALISTA and John Mark Saga Headline ALON Benefit Concert for Seafarers and their Families

In this day and age, people in the Philippines often do not get work in places across the country. To find a better life for them and their families, Filipinos venture out at sea and become seafarers. It's not easy to be away from family and remain in the deep blue ocean for weeks, months, some even years. Some fall prey to unscrupulous individuals who wouldn't bat an eyelash to not give them what's due them especially if they need government help, or lawyers to protect their rights (maritime or others) even if they are not in the country.

They need help, and this is where GOLD Foundation and maritime organizations come in. They just announced a concert for a cause called ALON Pagibig, Pangarap at Pagasa, slated this June 28th 6pm at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. This is headlined by one of the most popular bands in the country BEN&BEN, talented singer John Mark Saga and lovely female PPOP Group CALISTA. 

Seafarer Cecilia Giron tells us about her experience at work and says "This is a very humbling type of work, I was a bit hesitant at first, but I was able to perform the job. When I went home, I was so thin and didn't encourage me to go back . 13 years in a cruise ship, and a few years more, fooled by our love story, but I didn't want to end my dream. I had to work for my daughter, and later asked to do the same work now. It only took 5 months to finish it."

Jebsen Gamido an awareness advocate in the maritime sector told us about those experiencing not just abuse, but even mental health concerns for those who are working on ships. There are tons of seafarers who are in the same shoes and hopefully it will also be highlighted at the ALON concert.

Cadet Jerimy Orquiza shared how he didn't want to become a seafarer, but since he worked in a maritime school, he was inspired about their stories and got interested with their lives, even if it means being away from their families so they could provide for their loved ones. 

Marville Espagob of ISWAN shared how he had a great career, but it was hard for him mentally. The ALON concert is intended to help folks like him, and he will have a chance to talk about it in the show. They provide free helplines to understand them and their stories."

Ms. Lala Tolentino of The Mission to Seafarers adds "There has been no event that is like this to remind ourselves of love, welfare and hope. We support the family and seafarers around the world, no matter what the nationality, race or trust. We are recognizing them, they carry 90 percent of what you are wearing today. They are hidden workers, unseen, and this will make them be on the spotlight. Because they want to help their families, they set aside personal happiness because no matter what it seems, they deserve our recognition. The benefit concert will go to fund the mission for the seafarers and their families."

Gelo Ruiz who's directing the concert says "ALON will be a tribute born out of love. There are about 3 Million out there, and this is very personal for me because I am a son of a seafarer. This will be about their Stories, their Advocacies, and how we have better lives with their sacrifice. We are making ways to inspire people, and our program contains Ben&Ben, Kelvin Miranda, Calista, and John Mark Saga who will sing for one night. Every artist have their own story, it gives people hope. Calista will also showcase women empowerment with their numbers, and John Mark has real seafarer family members. We hope you get to support us on June 28th!"

Expecting a whopping 7000 attendees, they are still looking for partners, you may reach them on their social channels and email too. Tickets available at ticket2me.net and it will be held at the Ninoy Aquino stadium in Manila. Make sure you bring along your seafarer family members, friends and everyone.

John Mark Saga is a seafarer's son and says even the poster tells a lot about growing up without his father on his side. He got to pursue his dreams because of his father's sacrifice which he wasn't able to do in the past.

Calista says "It's an honor to be part of this big movement about seafarers and their families, it's a responsibility to represent the women and we have been advocating empowerment even those who are on board. With ALON, and our music, we hope it touches hearts for those who work in the industry. We will support them, and their dreams as seafarers too."

Calista had their concert years back to help frontliners and medical professionals, this time they're doing it for seafarers which is a very noble thing to do.

It's an important advocacy, for the seafarers and their families. If you want to do the same, go support them in the concert. Tickets will surely sell out fast because concerts like this cost more on a normal day. They plan to give the proceeds to organizations that help seafarers with legal, medical and mental needs. Get tickets via Ticket2Me.net and watch the event at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium because it's going to be one fun night!

LANI MISALUCHA: STILL LANI at The Theatre at SOLAIRE

Our love for Asia's Nightingale Ms. Lani Misalucha will become even stronger as Backstage Entertainment stages a concert at The Theatre at SOLAIRE on August 21st this year. 

This concert is directed by Calvin Neria with Musical Direction by Toma Cayabyab (son of National Artist Ryan). Backstage Entertainment is under Backstage Manila that had done a lot of events and is creative agency.

Atty. Nate Quijano of Backstage Manila says "Our company is in the events industry and now we are venturing into production and entertainment. We want to set trends, a different kind of creativity, to show support to up and coming and already established artists. I'm excited with this new venture, and this is our jumping point, our first concert STILL LANI."

Chris Mananquil the producer adds "I am lead creative for this show and this is a very important activity, we are excited for the new combination, but we hope to give something new for the fans of Ms. Lani Misalucha. We have Toma Cayabyab to be our Musical Director, something new, an inter generational combination. We may play hits, but most of it is something new. We don't want to spoil things, thank you!"

Ms. Lani says "I really like life in the US because it's simple, but a little hard. We are empty nesters, they have their own life and family. I still do shows in America but not like when I had a residency in Las Vegas. I just choose the kind of shows that I want to do. Between shows, I do laundry, clean my home, work never stops. You can't call people to fix because it's expensive, my husband is a handyman which I am so lucky about. I eat a lot, I am the backbone of his operations. I know all the tools, that's aside from playing with my grandchildren. In the Philippines we don't have help, we do the same."

She adds "When we got sick in 2020, we had bacterial meningitis. The effect was deafness, you get dizzy, vision was blurry, a ton of things. It was a really difficult time for me, especially when I'm hard of hearing. I got depressed, I didn't want to move. I also didn't want to socialize, it was painful because I could only hear if they are high pitched. It got better around to decipher voice but the hearing really didn't go back. It affected my singing because I struggled in 2021 and I had to train myself again like a child. My kids are not kids anymore, I have 6 grandkids now. They are doing good, thankfully. About the concert, it will be beautiful, but one surprise is I have a special guest, you will know by June or July because it's too early. I now have international released songs, but this time I'd be able to sing them in the concert. I admire singers who sing my song, they have to be creative to do it again and compose songs, they're really great. Having a hit song is power, people will remember you for the rest of their lives."

Here's the full media conference on video:

Again, STILL, LANI will be at the Theatre at Solaire. Make sure you get tickets to the show before August 21st. She is world class and she is STILL LANI. The one and only Asia's Nightingale. There's no comparison!

MRLD Showcases Creative Depth in 7th Sense Concert

While folks were excited at the thought of MRLD (Meriel de Jesus) performing at SM SKYDOME last Sunday, she was a bit nervous, but that didn't really show on stage. It was a time to showcase what she's got to the public. So when it started, MRLD showcased how different she could do her music. The released tracks felt fresh and new with the different arrangement when she sang it on stage.

The show opened with Healy After Dark, with the band dishing out several romantic songs, quite severely popular on Spotify. MRLD also did several collabs with singer songwriter Ryannah Julia (they had super smooth delivery, felt young and hip to hear, loved her). Guest girl group G22 showed powerful pipes, you would wish to have them for your birthday. And as needed, MRLD also did songs with super cool artist Adie (a surprise for the crowd) who came in and sang "IKAW PA RIN". Gawd the fans went crazy with it. That combination is stuff for legends. MRLD did it relaxed while Adie's rifts was just crazy, it begged to have them immortalized on a single (please make one soon!).

 

Fans had so much fun, I was actually surprised how she really put things to heart and even danced on stage. I'm a new fan, this shows her range and depth as an artist and songwriter. I saw her perform with great gusto, eager to give her all for her adoring fans. It just shows her range, and I'm so glad to have witnessed it. Here's a clip of the finale, make sure you'll be there when she does another concert soon!

Congratulations MRLD and to OC RECORDS! You're amazing! You've barely scratched the surface of your potential and I can't wait to see how you'll turn out to be soon. "Sandali" is is certainly my current favorite. So happy to see you having fun out there!